AfDB: He Deserves It, Buhari Reacts To Adesina’s Re-election As President

– It’s Proof Of His Leadership Qualities -Gbajabiamila

President Muhammadu Buhari is in a celebratory mood over the re-election of Dr Akinwunmi Adesina as President of the African Development Bank for a second term of office.

Clapping while reacting to the news, the State House quoted Buhari as saying, “He deserves it.”

Buhari received the news while presiding over a virtual meeting of the Council of State in Abuja.

He immediately congratulated the former Minister of Agriculture.

“On behalf of the Federal Executive Council and Nigerians in general, President Muhammadu Buhari felicitates with President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, on his re-election for a second term in office.

“News of the victory came during the Council of State meeting, which was attended by former heads of state, Senate President, governors, some Ministers, and senior government officials.

“As Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, announced the good news, President Buhari led a round of applause, and declared: ‘He deserves it.’

“The President extends appreciation to the African Union for its endorsement of the AfDB President much earlier, and to shareholders of the bank who worked tirelessly to ensure the return of the visionary leader”, Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, wrote in a statement conveying Buhari’s joy.

It noted further, “President Buhari believes Dr Adesina’s versatility, experience at both national and international engagements, will be further deployed to energize the pan-African financial institution, urging him to remain focused and steadfast in pursuing the noble goals of making life better for Africans through various development plans, already captured as High 5s.

“The President rejoices with family, friends and professional colleagues of Dr Adesina over the re-election, while commending members of staff and Board of Governors of the AfDB for their consistent support for the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and his management team.

“While pledging full support of his government to ensure a successful tenure for the AfDB leadership, President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will continue to strengthen Dr Adesina and his team for greater good to the continent.”

Adesina’s first term was mired in a controversy ahead of the election after some members of staff made fraud allegations against him.

However, the Board of Governors of the AfDB, after a series of investigations, cleared Adesina of any wrongdoing.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also hailed the victory of Adesina.

He noted that the fact of Adesina being cleared of all allegations ahead of the election was testimony that Africa had confidence in his leadership qualities.

The speaker said, “Your clearance by the independent review panel and Ethics Committee of the bank as well as the bank’s Bureau of Governors’ independent review panel was an affirmation of your integrity, dedication to duty and diligence.

“Your return for a second term without opposition also attests to the confidence the continent and its partners have in your leadership qualities.

“As I congratulate you on this historic milestone with the belief that the bank is in good hands, this is to remind you that your re-election is a call to rededicate yourself to duty towards positioning the bank as a global financial institution to reckon with”.